Moto X4 Review: Flagship Features And Premium Feel But On A Budget

You might be attracted towards the shiny and rev hungry smartphones like the upcoming iPhone 8, Samsung’s Note 8 or S8, and even the likes of LG G6 and Google Pixels, but this is also true that the mid-budget segment is on a boom these days and that is because of the smartphone like Moto X4.

Lenovo has been on a roll since buying the Motorola brand and has been introducing new offerings for every price brackets which have turned out to be the best packages ever. Now, Moto X4, another mid-ranger, is not anything like the Moto Z-series but it is the Moto X4, you understood what we mean, right?

Update: Google has announced the Android One variant of Moto X4 at $399 (Rs. 25,800 approx.)

Well, with dual cameras, 3GB/32GB and 4GB/64GB storage options, stock Android and tried and tested processor, the Moto X4 seems to be one of the best package smartphones but considering its competitors like Honor 8 Pro and OnePlus 5, it is not going to be an easy nut to crack for Moto X4. however, it looks promising and enough and we thought of rounding up the impressions we got from the specs sheet. So does the Moto X4 have what it takes to become an instant success? Let’s see!!

Moto X4 Specifications

• 5.2-inch (1920 x 1080) Full HD LTPS IPS curved display with Corning Gorilla Glass protection, offering 424ppi
• 2.2 GHz Octa-Core Snapdragon 630 14nm SoC coupled with Adreno 508 GPU
• 3GB RAM/ 32GB storage and 4GB RAM/64GB storage variants, having expandable memory support up to 2TB via microSD
• Android 7.1 (Nougat) out of the box
• Amazon Alexa Voice Assistant in addition to Google Assistant
• Single/Dual SIM and Fingerprint sensor embedded in the home button.
• 12MP primary camera with 1.4um pixel size, Dual Autofocus Pixel sensor, PDAF, f/2.0 aperture and a secondary 8MP ultra-wide angle camera with a 120-degree field of view, dual-tone LED flash, f/2.2 aperture, 1.12um pixel size and 4K video recording. There is also a Depth Mode for Bokeh effect.
• 16MP Front-facing camera with f/2.0 aperture, 1um pixel size and LED flash.
• 3000mAh battery with Turbo Charging support
• Water and dust resistant (IP68)
• 3.5mm audio jack, Front-ported speaker, and 3-Mics
• Dimensions: 148.35 x 73.4 x 7.99 mm; Weight: 163g
• 4G VoLTE, WiFi 802.11 ac (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz), Bluetooth 5.0 LE, GPS, GLONASS, NFC, USB Type-C

What we like about Moto X4

• The shiny aluminum body makes this device look from a higher segment.

• Four headsets or speakers can be connected with the Moto X4 and while each has its individual controls for volume, users can even toggle between channels (left/right) on and off.

• For Stock Android seekers, Moto X4 is the best smartphone in this segment.

• IP 68 rating is a rarity in this price bracket.

• The curved edges and small design make Moto X4 an easy to handle and operate smartphone.

• The 5.2-inch display offers great viewing angle while visibility under direct sunlight is also up to the mark. Display output and color dispersion are also crisp and vibrant.

• Thanks to the OIS, the dual rear cameras do a great job in capturing a perfect shot, however, users might miss the post adjustment option. Pictures captured in outdoor conditions come out sharp and there are no grains whatsoever. Same goes for low lighting conditions as there is good color production.

• The front 16MP unit is the best unit for group selfies and it does a great job by fitting everyone in the picture or show your surroundings by turning it right and left.

• As for the performance seekers, Snapdragon 630 might not be as good as SD 835 which the OnePlus 5 boasts of, but Moto X4 is more of a multimedia-centric smartphone having the capabilities to support heavy games and multitasking easily, thanks to the 4GB RAM option and Adreno 508 GPU.

What we didn’t like about Moto X4

• Big bezels literally snatches the flagship feel from the Moto X4.

• Selective focus on the rear camera is quite sluggish.

• The battery size might be a problem for those you are looking for power usage from this device, however, with moderate use, the Moto X4 can easily live for a whole day on a single charge.

• Android Oreo should have come out of the box rather than with an update.

• The shiny back attracts a lot of smudges, although it can be cleaned easily.

• A higher grade processor could have made Moto X4 a perfect device.

Verdict

As far as the competition is concerned, Moto X4 is the cheapest from the lot, if we consider the specifications it offers. And since it is a mid-ranger, it will be unfair if we compare it to the likes of Samsung Note 8 or LG V30.

Priced at EUR 399 (around Rs. 30,300) for the 4GB/64GB versions, the Moto X4 is worth buying and Yes, it can be a one stop solution for entertainment as well as moderate performance.